Apparatus for mixing fertilizers.



J Patented Apr. l7, I900. E. U. HOLTON.

APPARATUS FOR MIXING FERTILIZERS.

(Application filed June 15, 1899.)

3 Sheets-Sheet I.

(No Model.)

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No. 647,835. Patented Apr. I7, I900.

E. U. HOLTON.

APPARATUS FOR MIXING FERTILIZERS.

(Application filed June 15, 1899.) (No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

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no. 647,835. Patented Apr; I7, [900.

E.-u. HOLTUN.

APPARATUS FOR MIXING FERTILIZERS.

(Application filed June 15, 1899.)

(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 THE woanfs PETER cu, mo'mumou wnsnmam. n.c.

UNITED STATES EDIVARD U. HOLTON, OF

PATENT OFFICE.

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND.

APPARATUS FOR MIXING FERTILIZERS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 647,835, dated April1'7, 1900.

Application filed June 15. 1899.

To all whom it may concern: I

Be it known that I, 'EDNVARD U. HoLToN, of the city of Baltimore, in theState of Maryland, have in vented certain Improvements in.

Mixing Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to certain improvements in an apparatusespecially adapted for the mixing of ground phosphate rock and sulfuricacid in the manufacture of fertilizers known as acid phosphates, butwhich may be used for a variety of other purposes, as will hereinafterfully appear.

In the further description of the said invention which follows referenceis made to the accompanying drawings, forming a part hereof,'and inwhich Figure 1 is an exterior plan of the improved mixing apparatus.Fig. 2 is an exterior front elevation. Fig. 3 is a central sectionalelevation. Fig. 4 is a plan of the mixing-pan, together with certainparts of the apparatus situated therein. Fig 5 is a sectional sideelevation of certain parts of the apparatus.

Referring now to the drawings, A is the frame of the apparatus, which isgenerally constructed of timber properly tied together with bolts. v

B is a circular rotary mixing-pin having a bearing-ring a on its undersurface which rests in a circular groove 1) in an annular plate 0,supported by the lower part of the frame A, as shown in Fig. 3. Theupper edge of the mixing-pan is provided with teeth, so that it may berotated by spur-gearing, as hereinafter described.

D is the main or primary shaft, driven by a belt (not shown) through themedium of the pulley E. This shaft is supported in suitable bearings c,situated at the top of the frame A.

'F F are vertical rotary shafts carrying the mixing-heads d and theirplows e within the pan B. The rotary mixers are of common constructionand form no part of the present invention.

The vertical shafts F are driven from the, horizontal main shaft D bymeans of the beveled gears f and pinions g.

G is another vertical rotary shaft having a pinion h at its lower end inmesh with the teeth 1' on the circumference of the rotary motion to thesaid bar.

Serial No. 720,651. (No model-l mixingpan B, (see Fig. 3,) and the saidshaft is driven from one of the shafts F by the spurgears H.

From the foregoing description it will be understood that when thedriving-shaft D is in motion the mixers are rotated on their axes andthe pan revolved about them.

The bottom of the pan B is provided with a discharge-hole I, susceptibleof being closed by a hollow plug J, having a conical face or edge whichfits the beveled edge of the hole. (See Fig. 3.) The lower end of theplug J is open, except that it has one or more cross-bars j, to whichthe vertical lifting-bar K is attached in such manner that the plug mayturn with the pan without communicating The plug is made hollow in orderthat its gravity may be increased by the introduction therein ofsuitable weights (not shown) for a purpose hereinafter described.

In the mixing of acid phosphates the pan,

which is made of cast-iron, is subject to corrosion, which graduallydestroys the conical surface around the discharge-hole I. I thereforemake the discharge-hole in a removable plate L, which may be easilyrenewed when materially injured, and the plug when similarly affected istaken out and a new one substituted therefor. As will be understood, thedischarge-hole I is disclosed by the elevation of the plug J, and inorder that the plug may be cleared of adhering matter it is surroundedby and fits closely within a fixed cleaning-cylinder M, secured to theframe A by means of a cross-bar It. (See Fig. 3.)

N is a curved scraper (see particularly Fig. 4) having one vertical edgemin contact with the inner circumference of the mixing-pan and theother, n, near to the discharge-plug J. Consequently when the said plugis elevated, so as to disclose the discharge-hole I, and the scraperbrought down to the bottom of the rotating pan the contents of the panare guided to the hole I and rapidly discharged.

It is desirable that the plug J and the scraper N should movesimultaneously, but in opposite directions, one being elevated as theother is lowered. I therefore connect them by de vices hereinafterdescribed and make one of them counterbalance the other. If the plug islighter than the scraper, weights are intro duced into the former isestablished.

The non-rotative lifting-bar K slides in the bearings and p and hasfastened thereto a cross-head O, the ends of which are united until anequilibrium by links q to a bifurcated arm 1' tight on the horizontalrocking shaft P. (Shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 5.) To this rocking shaft isalsofastened an armQ, which extends in an opposite direction tothe one'1' and is connected at its ends by means of the branched rod 8 to thescraper N. I p

In order to overcome to-some extent lateral motion of the scraper causedby the arm Q describing an arc of'a circle, and thereby 'make thescraper move in a practically-ver-' tical line, sothat oneedge will bekept closely in contact with theinner surface of the pan,

I pivotally unite the branched rod-sat tto lugs u on the frame (seeFigs. 2 and by means of links 1;, which are longer than the arm Q.. Itwill be seen that the links 0 serve to modify the departure of thescraper'from a vertical line without afiecting the extent of itsvertical movement. 1 V

The rocking shaft P is operated by means :of the gear-wheel S and pinionT, the latter scraper elevated sufliciently to clear the ma-@is'rapidlyefiected.

terialsin the pan; Upon the completion of the mixing process thehand-wheelU is turned,

:so as to lift the plug and lower'the scraper,

when the discharge of the contents of 1 the pan 1 When the pan isentirely empty, the handwheel is turned in anopposite direction untilthe plug is again seated and the scraper elevated-to its originalposition. i is then ready for another chargeof unmixed The apparatusmaterials. V l I I claimas my invention 1. In a: mixing apparatus, therotary pan thereof having in its bottom a discharge-hole,

' combined with a plug adapted to closethe hole, a cylinder whichsurrounds the plug,

and means to elevate the plug to disclose the discharge-opening and atthe same time clear the ascending plug from adhering matter,substantially as specified.

2. In a mixing apparatus, the rotary pan thereof having a centraldischarge-hole'in its bottom, and a cylinder situated above thedischarge-hole, combined with a plug adapted to revolve with the saidpan when seated in the discharge-hole thereof, and within the saidcylinder, and means to elevate the plug within the cylinder whereby, atone operation, the discharge=hole is opened and adhering matter removedfrom the surface of the plug, substantially as specified.

3. In a mixing apparatus, the rotary pan thereof havingin its bottom adischarge-hole, and a cylinder situated over the hole, a plug which isguided by the said cylinder, and when in its lowest position, serves toclose the discharge-hole, a scraper situated within the pan, mechanismto connect the plug and scraper whereby they are held in reversedpositions, and hand-operated devices whereby the said plug and scraperare jointly moved, substantially as specified.

4. In a mixing apparatus, the combination of a rotary pan having in itsbottom a discharge-hole, a vertically-moving plug adapted to the plugand theiother to the scraper,

whereby in the movement of the rocking shaft, the plug andscraper aremoved in opposite directions, substantially as specified.

5. In a mixing apparatus, the combination ofa rotary pan, a scraperwithin the pan, a shaft carrying an arm-which is connected tothe'scraper by means of a link, and a' second arm which is longer thanthe first, which pivotally connects th'e link .at a point between thescraper andthe rocking arm, to some stationary point whereby thevibration of the first arm is to some extent counteracted, and

the scraper made to move in a practically- 7 vertical line,substantially asspecified.

EDWARD U. HOLTON.

Witnesses:

WM. T. HOWARD, HARRY E. FEE.

